U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers, in notes of its October meeting released Wednesday, indicated they may continue purchasing mortgage-backed securities and other assets to keep interest rates low and cash available in the banking system. The minutes say that if the job market and economy remain lackluster, the central bank will likely need to expand its […]
Newly Identified Gene Is Part of What Makes Us Human
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 4:30 pm (UTC-5)
What makes us human? An international team of researchers has found a clue: A gene carried only by people – not apes or other animals – appears to have played a crucial role in the rapid evolutionary changes in the human brain that allowed us to use complex tools and language. Reseachers from the University […]
Obama Meets With Corporate Executives on ‘Fiscal Cliff’
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 4:05 pm (UTC-5)
Chief executives of some of the most prominent U.S. corporations met Wednesday with President Barack Obama, who seeks their support in resolving key government tax and spending issues before the end of the year. The U.S. is facing a looming “fiscal cliff” on January 1, when $600 billion in mandated spending cuts to crucial defense […]
US Stops Short of Recognizing Syrian Opposition Coalition
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 3:45 pm (UTC-5)
The United States has declined to fully recognize a newly formed Syrian opposition coalition, saying the group must first prove its worth after its predecessor was dogged by feuding and accusations of Islamist domination. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday the formation of the coalition, which supersedes the widely discredited Syrian National Council, […]
Ireland Probes Death of Woman Denied Abortion
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 2:50 pm (UTC-5)
The Irish government is investigating the death of an Indian woman who died in an Irish hospital after being denied a termination of her pregnancy. Prime Minister Enda Kenny told lawmakers Wednesday that he is awaiting the results of two investigations into the death of Savita Halappanavar, an Indian national living in Galway, in western […]
Obama Meeting with Corporate Executives on US Fiscal Cliff
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 2:40 pm (UTC-5)
Chief executives of some of the most prominent U.S. corporations are meeting Wednesday with President Barack Obama as he seeks to enlist their support in resolving key end-of-the-year government tax and spending issues. The U.S. is facing a looming “fiscal cliff.” It is a financial precipice with $600 billion in mandated spending cuts to crucial […]
China to Reveal New Senior Leaders to Assist Next President
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
China is preparing to reveal the identities of new senior leaders who will help the country’s next president and premier to deal with major challenges such as slowing economic growth and widening public anger at government corruption. The new leaders will walk onto a platform at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Thursday as […]
U.S. General Demoted Over Misuse of Funds
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
A four-star general who once led the U.S. military’s Africa Command has been demoted for misusing taxpayer money. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said this week General William “Kip” Ward, former head of AFRICOM, will lose one of his four stars and will be forced to repay $82,000 to the military. Investigators have concluded Ward […]
European Governments Resolute in Face of Anti-Austerity Protests
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 12:15 pm (UTC-5)
Wednesday’s anti-austerity protests across Europe are again disrupting life in major cities, but European leaders are pressing the campaign to end years of over-spending that caused the continent’s debt crisis. Workers in Athens, Madrid, Lisbon, Rome and elsewhere are protesting the deep cuts in popular social programs, pensions and other government programs their governments have […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Urges India’s Support for Democracy in Burma
Posted November 14th, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is calling for India’s support in helping Burma achieve democracy. She made the comments Wednesday during a visit to New Delhi aimed at restoring ties between the Burmese opposition and India. During a lecture commemorating former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Aung San Suu Kyi said Burma was […]
